American pop star Charlie Puth has opened up about his deep connection to the Korean music scene, revealing that he regularly watches K-pop music programs and maintains close friendships with BTS members. During his appearance on the popular YouTube show MMTG, Puth shared intimate details about his ongoing relationship with Korean artists and his genuine passion for K-pop culture.
In the episode titled "Honorary Korean Charlie Puth Watches Popular K-pop Songs Every Sunday," host Jaejae questioned whether Puth truly keeps up with Korean music programs and performances by rookie idol groups. The singer responded enthusiastically, confirming his regular viewing habits. "Oh, yes. I watch Inkigayo. I really do like them all. I was with the BTS boys," Puth said, referring to the popular Korean music show that airs on Sundays.
Puth expressed amazement at the enduring nature of his friendship with BTS, particularly highlighting how natural their relationship feels despite the passage of time. "Whenever we meet up, we just saw each other like a year ago even though it's been eight years. I've known them for eight years. How is that possible. That's crazy," he remarked, emphasizing the genuine bond he has formed with the Korean superstars.
The friendship between Puth and BTS, particularly with member Jungkook, began in 2017 when Jungkook publicly expressed his admiration for Puth's music. This initial connection blossomed into a professional relationship the following year when the two artists performed together on stage. Their collaboration reached new heights in 2022 with the release of their hit song "Left and Right," which became a global success and demonstrated the power of cross-cultural musical partnerships.
Beyond his relationship with BTS, Puth has expanded his involvement in the K-pop industry by working with various other groups. He has collaborated with popular acts including Stray Kids and BABYMONSTER, for whom he recently wrote the track "Like That." When discussing his songwriting work, Puth expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, "I try to write for everybody. I like that song."
When asked about his criteria for selecting collaboration partners, Puth emphasized that commercial success or fame levels are not his primary considerations. "Just anybody who likes music as much as I do. I am always happy to, big or small. I get inspired by everybody," he explained, highlighting his genuine passion for music and his openness to working with artists regardless of their status in the industry.
Puth's continued engagement with Korean culture and his warm relationships with K-pop artists have drawn significant attention from fans worldwide. He remains one of the few Western artists to maintain active and ongoing collaborations with Korean performers, bridging cultural gaps through music and demonstrating the universal language of artistic expression.
